Defining key habitats for low density populations of Eurasian badgers in Mediterranean environments

Populations of Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) living in Mediterranean ecosy stems are of conservation concern. Deciduous forests are considered the mai n habitats of these badger populations in mountains, but key habitats for b adgers have not been distinguished in Mediterranean lowlands. We provide a quantitative analysis of the overall habitat selection and preferences of E urasian badgers in a Mediterranean area (Donana, SW Spain). Data on 17 radi omarked animals in a rabbit-based population and three animals from another population with no single staple food were analysed by compositional analy sis for determining selection and preference order, and Jacobs' index for a bsolute preference/avoidance. Results indicate that, in the rabbit-based ar ea, badgers preferred well-preserved Mediterranean scrubland at every level of the analysis. In the area where badgers had no staple food there was no clear pattern. Rabbit abundance explained a significant amount of variance of the Jacobs' index in the rabbit-based area at all levels of the analysi s. It is concluded that badgers are selecting those habitat types which hol d key resources, such us food or shelter. Thus, not only deciduous forest a nd associated pastures, but also scrubland holding healthy rabbit populatio ns are key habitats for Mediterranean badgers living in the Iberian peninsu la. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.